Wichita eagle., 1887-05-06

seemed as if the voices went up, ike smoke.
Then there was great delay, while trey
went for longer ladder; and this, too, didn't
reach half way A man climbed up it, how
ever. an called out to know had l II bit OF
string in my pocket that could 1T down:
Not bit could find I had had big ball
only the day before. but had taken it out OF
INV pocket an put it on a shelf at home.
took off nv braces, an fastened them an my
pocket handkerchief together; but they didn't
near reach the top Of the ladder, so that plan
had to be given up.
All this time the wind was rising. an
was getting numb with the cold. an still and
cramped from being so long in one position
There was a big clock right over the gateway
lust opposite, an saw that it only wanted
twenty minutes of five; it would be nearly
dark at five an once the darkness set IN, what
little hope had would be gone.
Master Philip seemed to have gone away by
this time, but there was my father among the
crowd; an who should see standing next
him, an holding on by his arm, but Katie!
They had forgotten everything but the fright
about me, an he seemed to be talking to her,
an comforting her. After a bit saw Master
Philip again; he had big thing in his band
looking like pocket handkerchiefs stretched
over a frame an saw that it was a Kite. az
that they meant to send a string to me IN ''.;'t
way But you never in all your life So y s;it'-i
an unInanageable kite. First twas too heavy
and then twas too light, and then the time
they seemed to lose making tail to steady II
heard after that part Of that same tell was
made Of bank notes Master Philip took out OK
his pocket when he could get nothing else
quick enough. He got them all baci later,
for not d man, woman, or child III The place
would have touched enc of them wheii they
saw him using them in that way.
When the kite did 30 up at last the wind
W as so high that they could not manage j
properly II came very near me once. AID
made snatch at tho string. nearly over
reaching myself in doing so, but | mi: Sss'i ii,
an Just then there came terrible gust OF
wind, the string broke an the kite was car
ried away, an stuck fast IN the branch IS OF a
big tree behind the masters house. l looked
over al the clock to see how much tinle was
left me, an found that l could not see lie
hands any longer; the darkness had come on
in the last few minutes. Then gave ny al
hope for knew could never hold on till
morning tried to think Of death, an to
make myself ready for it, but / couidn't-not
a prayer nor good word could | call to
mind, only going over an over again IN my
head the way 'twould all happsn-how tie
people would all go away one by one, how I'd
| be left alone in the darkness an the bowling
| wind-an' how at last I'd not be able 10 hold
| on any longer an fall, an be found in the
morning all crushed out of shape. The peo
| ole below seemed to have given up all thought
| of helping me now, an were standing quite
quiet Twas so dark by this time that
could not distinguish the faces at all; could
| lust make out Master Philip in his dark suit
among the white mill men and poor Katie.
| She was crouching down on the ground now,
| her apron over her head. All Of sudden
saw her leap up with great cry, an clap
| her hands, an call out something. Then
| there was confused sort Of shout, as every
one in the crowd was saying the same thing
| at the same time, an then Master Philip,
making sign to silence them, put hi; two
hands up to his mouth, an sang out in
voice thai came up to me above the noise OF
| the winds:
"Take off your stocking and ravel it; the
thread will reach the ground"
At first I didn't understand him. being
dazed like, but then the meaning came on me
| like message from heaven. got off one Of
| NV socks with some trouble-nice new ones
| they WERE too, of Katie's own knitting, that
| she had given me for a Christmas boX-an'
with the help of my teeth l loosened one end
| of the thread 1t gave readily enough after
that, an when l had good piece of it ripped
| tied my knife to the end Of it to make it
| heavy, an let it drop, ripping more an more
| of the sock as it went down. Then felt it
| stop, an presently there came a shout telling
| me to wind it up again. Very slowly and
| carefully ! did it, fearing the string would
| break and when the last bit of it came up
| there was piece of strong Irvine tied 20 the
| end Of it. The Irvine in its turn brought the
| rope had gone up by, an then l felt that l
| was safe. [ managed somehow to put it
through the pulley. an to haul up the plank,
| an as soon as they had fastened the other
| end to the windlass below they gave me the
| word to come down. | was so numb an stiff
| that could not fix myself on the plank hut
! ] managed somehow to cling to the ropes
| with nv hands. Down. down came, every
| turn of the windlasS making the voices be-
| low seem nearer an, nearer, and when | was
! within few feet of the ground there were
| dozen pair OF arms ready to catch me, an q
| score of hands held out to me. an hundred
voices to welcome. An there was my father
| waiting for me, an Master Philip saying:
"But for the girl he'd have been up there
| still Not one OF the rest of US would have
| thought of the stocking; twas the brightest
| idea I've coIT:e across this many dav. She
has saved his life, Forde, and you can't 10
fuse your consent any longer" But when
| looked round for Katie she was nowhere to
be saen She must have slipped off as soon
as she saw was safe
Master Philip hurried my father an me
away, l didn't quite know where, was so
| dazed, but in minute or two found myself
| i'll warm, lighted dining room at the mas
ter's house, an Master Philip pouring out a
| glass OF brandy for me an shaking han.is
| with my father l was glad to get the
! brandy, for ! was worn out with fright and
cold; but as soon as could made ms escape
an went down to katie's cottage ! hadn't
| been there five minutes when there vas a
knock at the door, and in walks my father
He went straight mp to Katie, holding out bis
hand
Katie my girl, he said, I've come TO
ask your pardon for anything I've ever said
or done against you, an if you an Jim are
still of the same mind, 1 won't hinder YOU
from marrying. It's you have the best right
to him, for you've saved his life
And It's proud an glad am that was
able to do that same, Mr.. Forde, said Katie.
And you'll marry him, won't you, my
| dear!"
IF you're satisfied. sir
Il am, my dear, quite satisfied and with
that he kissed her: and from that day to this
he and Katie have been the best of friends
He lives with us for the last year or so. for
he was getting a little past his work, and the
master pensioncd him off He is very happy